Infant diaper changing system

ABSTRACT

A reinforced infant changing system comprising an elongated flexible cushioned pad having a top surface, bottom surface and cushion therebetween. The system also includes a pair of generally wedge-shaped flap members hingedly connected to the bottom surface of the changing system for extension in various directions to provide a reinforced cradling surface.

BACKGROUND AND FIELD

An article of manufacture that relates generally to an infant support and more particularly to an auxiliary diaper changing pad having a pair of generally wedge-shaped flap members providing reinforcement and support to the diaper changing pad.

Diaper changing pads are well-known in the prior art. A number of changing pads are foldable so that they are easily portable but lack supporting members to aid in changing the infant. The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope.

SUMMARY

The embodiments set forth are exemplary and not for purposes of limitation. The present embodiments are designed to provide a novel and improved auxiliary diaper changing pad that may be placed on a level surface as well as a seat portion of a chair. The present diaper changing pad provides for raising or slightly elevating lateral surface(s) of the changing pad into a generally trough-shaped configuration to form a lateral support for an infant. Further, alignment of the pair of wedge-shaped flap members in touching relation to one another forms a slightly elevated or sloped surface when a changing pad is placed on a flat surface or when the flap members are placed along the intersection point between a back rest portion and the seat portion of a chair. Due to the flexibility of the diaper changing pad system, it may be folded into a compact unit with a handle.

In accordance with the present article of manufacture, there is provided a reinforced infant changing system having an elongated flexible cushioned pad with a top surface, a bottom surface and a cushion layer therebetween. The system is also defined by pair a of generally wedge-shaped flap members with a hinge member connected to ends of the flap members and to the bottom surface. There is also provided a method of changing an infant's diaper including an elongated, cushioned pad having a pair of wedge-shaped flaps connected to a bottom surface of the pad, the steps including laying the pad on a surface, spreading the pair of wedge-shaped flaps so as to extend the flaps beneath the bottom surface transversely of the length of the pad, placing the pad on a surface with the flaps disposed between the bottom surface and the support surface so as to form a generally trough-shaped top surface on the pad, connecting opposite beveled edges of the flaps to the bottom surface of the pad, placing an infant longitudinally along the cradled top surface, and changing a diaper of the infant.

In addition to the article of manufacture and method described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following descriptions. Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in reference to Figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and Figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diaper changing pad;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view in an alternate position of the changing pad of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view in cross-section taken about lines 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a diaper changing pad with an infant placed thereon; and

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of FIG. 1 in a folded or collapsed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, there is shown by way of illustrative example a reinforced infant changing system having an elongated flexible cushioned pad 11 with a top surface 13, a bottom surface 15 and a cushion layer 17 therebetween. A support pad 18 is defined by a pair of generally wedge-shaped flap members 19, 19′ that are hinged to the bottom surface 15 of the cushioned pad 11 allowing for extension of the flap members 19, 19′ in opposite directions along the bottom surface 15 as shown in FIG. 5 or aligned in coextensive touching relation to one another as shown in FIG. 6. The significance of these positions will be described at a later point.

The cushioned pad 11 is of generally rectangular configuration, the top surface typically having a waterproof surface, such as, plastic or vinyl providing a surface that is easily cleaned. The bottom surface 15, in one embodiment, may be made of a nylon material but may also be of cotton, polyester or other type of similar material. The cushioned layer 17 is foam or any other type of cushioning material. The padding provides slight cushioning for the infant when placing an infant on the cushioned pad such as during a diaper change, the thickness of the pad may be on the order of ⅛ to ¼ of an inch. The pad 11 should also be easily foldable, requiring the thickness of the pad to optimally be less than 1 inch. In one embodiment, again the cushioned layer 17 is approximately 1/4 inches thick. The top surface 13, bottom surface 15 and cushioned layer 17 are joined together with reinforced sewn edges 41. The pad 11 is also defined by folding guide members 25. The guide members 25 in one embodiment are reinforced fold lines which are lines of stitching sewn through the top surface 13, the cushioned layer 17 and the bottom surface 15 and aid in folding of the changing pad into a compact unit for easy portability and storage. The location of the guide members 25 is shown by example only and the pad 11 may have additional lines in different locations to aid in the folding. See FIGS. 1 and 2. A midline guide member 27 also aids in forming a trough shape which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, and will be discussed in greater detail at a later point.

Referring now to the bottom surface of the changing pad 11, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 demonstrate one embodiment having the flap members 19, 19′ each made of a thick cushioning material 12 covered with a vinyl material 32. See FIG. 7. The flap members 19, 19′ are hingedly connected to one another at adjoining edges 29, 29′ and form a hinged connection 21 with the bottom surface 15 along a center line extending the length of the pad and which coincides with the midline guide member 27. The hinged connection 21 allows for bending or positioning of the flap members 19, 19′ in a number of different ways. The adjoining edges 29, 29′ may also be separately hinged to the bottom surface 15 in spaced relation to one another. Further, the flap members 19, 19′ may also be comprised of block members that are attached along opposite sides of the bottom surface 15 of the pad 11 to provide lateral support.

Cushioned end members 31, 31′ of the flaps 19, 19′ which in one embodiment are beveled, may be extended in opposite directions to one another as shown in FIG. 5, or the end members 31, 31′ may be aligned in adjoining relation to one another as shown in FIG. 6. The flap members 19, 19′ allow for positioning of the changing pad when using different surfaces. For example, placement of the flap members 19, 19′ with the end members 31, 31′ extending in opposite directions, results in a generally trough-shaped depression 33 as shown in FIG. 5. The end members 31, 31′ are connected to outer edges 26, 26′ of the bottom, exterior surface 15 of the pad 11 with hook and loop fasteners (not shown). Consequently, when an infant is placed in a lengthwise direction along the top surface 13 of the cushioned pad 11, the infant is cradled along a longitudinal line, that corresponds to the midline guide member 27, thereby providing a more comfortable changing pad for an infant while somewhat inhibiting smaller infants from rolling off of the changing pad and keeping the infant in place while changing the diaper or allowing an infant to rest.

The trough-shaped depression 33 cradles and lends lateral stability to an infant when placed on the changing pad 11 by raising or slightly elevating lateral surfaces 35, 35′ of the changing pad 11. In one embodiment, the support pad 18 is connected along the length of the changing pad 11, providing uniform support beneath an infant and enabling easy folding of the pad 11 when not in use. The flap members 19, 19′ are fully extended as shown in FIG. 5 and attached to the outer edges 26, 26′ of the bottom surface 15 of the pad 11. The pad 11 may then be folded into a compact unit 46 as shown in FIG. 9.

In an alternate position as shown in FIG. 6, the flaps 19, 19′ are folded together so as to be positioned with the end members 31, 31′ in touching or adjoining relation to one another and coextensive with the lateral section 35 of the changing pad. The flap 19′ is secured or connected to the flap 19, in this embodiment with a hook and loop fastener 49. The flap 19 is then connected to the outer edge 26 of the bottom surface 15, also with a hook and loop fastener. This orientation is used preferably on a sloped seat where the combined wedge support of flaps 19, 19′ form a slightly elevated surface along the lateral surface 35 of the changing pad. The combination of flap members 19, 19′ form a slightly elevated portion along one lateral section 35 as discussed previously while a slight cradling surface 33 remains along the center line of the changing pad. See FIG. 6. This orientation allows for ease of changing the infant while preventing the infant from rolling inwardly towards the intersection of the seat bottom with the seat back. The cushioned pad in this configuration also allows for placement of an infant on the slightly elevated lateral surface 35 and cradling surface 33 while the infant is sleeping and the automobile is no longer in motion. The cushioned pad creates a comfortable resting surface within an automobile for an infant. It should also be understood that variations on the placement of the support pad 18 as well as variations on the shape of the support will also accomplish the desired results of lateral support and a generally trough-shaped cradling surface.

The changing system also includes a pocket member 53 which is secured along the reinforced edge 41 of the side 35′ of the changing pad 11. The pocket member 53 is designed to carry or hold miscellaneous items helpful to changing an infant's diaper such as creams, wipes, or an extra diaper. Handle members 55, 55′ are attached near the reinforced edge 41 of the opposite sides 35, 35′ to allow for easy portability of the changing system when in a folded orientation. The flap member 19′ has a closure member 51 located near the outside edge 31′. The closure member 51 has a hook and loop fastener (not shown) which corresponds to a hook and loop fastener 49 located on the flap 19.

The method of using the auxiliary diaper changing pad is as follows: laying the pad 11 on a surface, spreading the hinged flaps 19, 19′ so as to extend the flaps beneath the bottom surface 15 of the pad 11 so as to be foldable transversely of the length of the pad 11. The pad 11 is then placed on a surface, releasing the hook-and-loop fastener of the closure member 51, positioning the flap members 19, 19′ in a desired position along the bottom surface 15 and securing the end members 31, 31′ of the pad to outer edges 26, 26′, repositioning the pocket member 53 along a side edge of the changing pad 11 and finally, placing an infant along the top surface 13 and changing the infant's diaper. If the pad 11 is placed on a surface having a side edge, the pocket member 53 may be positioned so that it dangles or hangs over the side edge for easy accessibility to items placed therein.

If the pad is placed on an uneven or sloped surface, such as a car seat, the flap members 19, 19′ may be folded so that a wedge is formed along one side of the pad, slightly elevating the lateral surface 35. This prevents the infant from rolling towards the chair seat back while still creating a cradling surface for the infant. When not in use, the pad 11 may be folded as follows: the pocket member 53 is positioned so that it is placed along the top surface 13 of the pad 11. Side sections 59, 59′ are folded inwardly along the folding guide members 25. The pad 11 is then folded in half along the guideline 27 and the closure member 51 is threaded through both handle members 55, 55′ and attached to the hook and loop fastener 49 on the flap 19 as shown in FIG. 9.

It is therefore to be understood that while different embodiments are herein set forth and described, the above and other modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the article of manufacture as defined by the appended claims and reasonable equivalents thereof. 

1. A reinforced infant changing system, said system comprising: an elongated flexible cushioned pad having a top surface, a bottom surface and a cushion layer therebetween; and a pair of generally wedge-shaped flap members including a hinge member connected to adjoining edges of said flap members and to said bottom surface.
 2. The infant changing system according to claim 1 wherein said pad has elevated lateral surfaces when said flap members are fully extended.
 3. The infant changing system of claim 1 wherein said flap members form a unitary underlying support.
 4. The infant changing system of claim 1 wherein said flap members include beveled edges.
 5. The infant changing system according to claim 1 wherein said pad includes a storage pocket.
 6. The infant changing system according to claim 4 wherein said pad is defined by a cradling surface when said pad is fully extended and said beveled edges of said flap members are aligned facing opposite directions.
 7. The infant changing system according to claim 4 wherein said pad has a sloped lateral section when said beveled edges of said flap members are aligned in touching relation to one another.
 8. The infant changing system according to claim 1 wherein said pad is adjustable between an expanded and folded orientation.
 9. The infant changing system according to claim 1 wherein said pad includes at least one handle member.
 10. The infant changing system according to claim 1 wherein said pad includes means for folding said pad into a compact unit.
 11. The infant changing system according to claim 10 wherein said folding means includes reinforced fold lines.
 12. A flexible elongated changing pad comprising: a top, waterproof surface, a bottom surface; a cushion layer between said top and bottom surfaces; and means connected to said bottom surface for bending at least one side of said pad upwardly.
 13. The infant changing pad according to claim 12 wherein said bending means includes a support member having dual wedge shaped pads.
 14. The infant changing pad according to claim 13 wherein said dual pads have a trough shaped mid-section when said cushion member is in an extended position.
 15. The infant changing pad according to claim 12 wherein said bending means forms a slightly raised surface along a side of said pad when said dual pads have opposing edges in adjoining relation to one another.
 16. The infant changing pad according to claim 12 wherein said pad includes a storage pocket.
 17. The infant changing pad according to claim 12 wherein said pad includes dual handle members located along opposite side edges of said pad.
 18. The infant changing pad according to claim 12 wherein said pad includes outer reinforced edges.
 19. A method of changing an infant's diaper wherein an elongated, cushioned pad having a pair of wedge-shaped flaps is hingedly connected to a bottom surface of said pad, the method comprising the steps of: laying said pad on a surface; spreading said pair of said wedge-shaped flaps so as to extend said flaps beneath said bottom surface transversely of the length of said pad; placing said pad on a surface with said flaps disposed between said bottom surface and said support surface so as to form a generally trough-shaped top surface on said pad; connecting opposite beveled edges of said flaps to said bottom surface of said pad; placing an infant longitudinally along said cradled top surface; and changing a diaper of the infant.
 20. A method of aligning an infant changing pad having a padded, substantially rectangular shaped cushion with flap members connected along a bottom surface of said cushion, the steps comprising: orienting said flap members with opposite beveled edges in touching relation; attaching one of said beveled edges to said bottom surface of said cushion; forming a slightly elevated top surface along a first lateral section of said cushion; placing said cushion along a sloped surface; and changing an infant's diaper on said slightly elevated top surface. 